Nature Center

The 21-acre Nature Center features a collection of indoor and outdoor exhibits and artifacts curated to showcase Southwest Florida’s unique ecosystem. The experience includes the newly renovated Susan and William Dalton Discovery Center with the new John & Carol Walter Discovery Wing, which features an invasive species and climate change galleries.

The Nature Center is listed as site #69 on the Great Florida Birding Trail and also boasts electric boat tours featuring live flora and fauna along the Gordon River; docent-led visitor programs on topics such as reptiles, birds of prey, oceans, and wildlife injury prevention; and a wildlife exhibit.

Kids Playing Walter

NATURE CENTER HOURS

Tuesday - Saturday

9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

Admission

Adults

$17.95

Children (3-12)

$9.95

See new exhibits and revisit your favorites!

Between the classic Touch Tank and Little Explorer Play Zone to the new Augmented Reality and Science on a Sphere exhibits, the Dalton Discovery Center has something for everyone.

New Discoveries

We've added multiple new exhibits to the Dalton Discovery Center! Be sure to check out the Invasive Species and Climate Change Galleries inside the new John & Carol Walter Discovery Wing.

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Electric Boat Tours

All aboard from the Allyn Family Dock! Take a leisurely, informative, and fun 45-minute cruise along the beautiful Gordon River here in Naples.

Boats depart at the top of every hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and no reservations are required! Boat tours are included with your Nature Center admission fee.

Fun For the Whole Family

There's something for everyone at the Conservancy Nature Center! The new John & Carol Walter Discovery Wing features interactive educational experiences, like the New Discoveries Lab!

COSWF Lab Girls

Become a member and save!

With a Conservancy membership, you'll earn free admission to the Nature Center for at least 2 adults and 4 children. Click below to learn more about the other perks of Conservancy membership!

Programs funded in part by:

Additional Programs at the Nature Center

Daily Talks

Our Education Team will lead two daily talks on the deck here at the Nature Center! Join us to learn about the Southwest Florida environment and the wildlife in our area.

GregMarsh

Daily Talks

11:15 a.m. & 1:15 p.m.

Little Explorers Program Schedule

The Little Explorer Play Zone is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day the Nature Center is open. We also have special programs available on select days. The specific dates are listed below. Class times start at 10 a.m. every Thursday.

Little Explorer Mom and Daughter
Best for kids 18-months to 5-years-old

Bring your little ones to our Little Explorer Play Zone to participate in multi-sensory, interactive activities, stories, and crafts. You will have the opportunity to learn about topics that relate to our mission of protecting Southwest Florida’s water, land, wildlife, and future. Little Explorers will also get to meet ambassador animals and explore the entire Conservancy campus!

JUNE

June 1st: Surprise!

TBD

June 8th: Fussy Flamingo

Hear about a young flamingo who doesn’t want to eat shrimp and discovers a variety of fruit which change the color of her feathers. Explorers will discover what a flamingo should eat and take home a fun and colorful craft!

June 15th: Henry the Manatee

Come along as we learn all about Florida’s state marine mammal—the Manatee! Help us discover what a manatee eats and where they live. After the story, stick around for a fun activity and craft!

June 22nd: The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Caterpillars go through a special transformation called metamorphosis. They have to eat a lot to go through this change. Come learn what this very hungry caterpillar eats before turning into a beautiful butterfly.

June 29th: Bugs Bugs Bugs

Bees and butterflies are both flying insects, but they each have their own unique characteristics. Did you know bees have a special way of communicating with each other using dance? Or that almost all butterflies have symmetrical patterns on their wings? Come learn the science of these crazy critters with a healthy dose of music, dancing and art.